carla rey
VFG Member
Peplum Power
This week the VFG is all about the power of the peplum. Be it long or short, flared, poufed, pleated or ruffled, a peplum is a skirt-like addition to the lower bodice of a garment. Purely decorative in nature and designed to accentuate the waist, the peplos was first seen in 500 BC, and consisted of a large swath of cloth cinched, and then pulled up at the waist to create volume right around the hips.
We have Elizabeth I to thank for introducing the peplum as we know it today. Taking her inspiration from a mens' doublet, wearing a peplum served as the ultimate statement in feminine power-dressing, reinforcing the appearance of strength at a time when women were viewed as the "weaker sex".
Revived repeatedly throughout modern history with each era adding its own unique twist, the peplum's popularity surged post-WW2 when the fabric rationing mandate was lifted and Christian Dior unveiled his now-iconic "New Look" collection. This silhouette became the modern definition of a peplum. Peplums reigned supreme on the runways of the '80s and '90s as edgy designers like Thierry Mugler and Claude Montana pushed the proportions in more extreme directions, introducing wildly exaggerated and asymmetrical shapes.
Peplum fashions have been making another comeback having recently been sported by the Princess of Wales as well as Hollywood royalty on the Red Carpet at this year's Academy Awards.
This week the VFG says: Peplum to the People!
This week the VFG is all about the power of the peplum. Be it long or short, flared, poufed, pleated or ruffled, a peplum is a skirt-like addition to the lower bodice of a garment. Purely decorative in nature and designed to accentuate the waist, the peplos was first seen in 500 BC, and consisted of a large swath of cloth cinched, and then pulled up at the waist to create volume right around the hips.
We have Elizabeth I to thank for introducing the peplum as we know it today. Taking her inspiration from a mens' doublet, wearing a peplum served as the ultimate statement in feminine power-dressing, reinforcing the appearance of strength at a time when women were viewed as the "weaker sex".
Revived repeatedly throughout modern history with each era adding its own unique twist, the peplum's popularity surged post-WW2 when the fabric rationing mandate was lifted and Christian Dior unveiled his now-iconic "New Look" collection. This silhouette became the modern definition of a peplum. Peplums reigned supreme on the runways of the '80s and '90s as edgy designers like Thierry Mugler and Claude Montana pushed the proportions in more extreme directions, introducing wildly exaggerated and asymmetrical shapes.
Peplum fashions have been making another comeback having recently been sported by the Princess of Wales as well as Hollywood royalty on the Red Carpet at this year's Academy Awards.
This week the VFG says: Peplum to the People!
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Peplums!
